Like any Midland business, the law firm of Cotton Bledsoe Tighe and Dawson has ridden the ups and downs of the Permian Basin oil and gas industry.

The law firm has persevered — managing to avoid layoffs — and celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

Partners Bob Bledsoe, Charles Tighe and Bob Dawson gathered recently to recall the founding of the law firm and how it has grown.

“We were actually formed on March 1, 1974,” Tighe said.

“In the middle of the Arab oil embargo, one of the blessings we experienced,” Bledsoe said.

Since March 1974, the firm has grown to 43 attorneys and an additional support staff of between 40 and 45 employees.

Six lawyers started the firm in 1974: Tighe and Bledsoe, Bill Cotton, Bill Morrow, Tevis Herd and Dick McMillan. Shortly thereafter, Dawson joined. “I certainly saw they had a good team,” he said.

Soon, Corby Considine and Barry Beck joined and “we became 10 within a few months,” Bledsoe said.

In forming the new firm, “I think from the beginning we had a vision of what a law firm should be, its culture, it’s people. After 40 years I couldn’t be happier. It’s fulfilled all my expectations. It’s a fine group of lawyers, families, staff, a caring group of people,” Tighe said.

The partners expressed astonishment over the size of the firm, saying they never expected it to grow beyond the original 10 lawyers.

Tighe said the goal from the beginning was to establish a firm that gave its staff the opportunity to develop professionally but also have time with their families and the community.

“I came from a law firm in Houston where they worked 10 or 12 hours a day and on Saturdays. I wanted to give people time to have relationships with their family and community,” he said.

Added Bledsoe, “In terms of priorities, faith and family are ahead of devotion to law practice.”

Faith is a key for the firm, with partners beginning every meeting with a prayer, Bledsoe said.

That approach helps recruit young lawyers and staff members who want that time with family and to develop their faith and community, he said.

While the practice of law has changed little over the years, the partners said there have been changes.

“The biggest change is technology,” said Dawson.

Said Bledsoe, “Midland has changed, especially over the last few years. When I came here in 1959, Midland had 50,00 to 60,000 people. I never dreamed it would grow like this, never dreamed of the oil discoveries we’ve seen.”

The oil boom has kept the firm busy, as it has other businesses throughout Midland, he said.

Tighe specializes in litigation, Dawson in estate planning and Bledsoe works in oil and gas law. Tighe has argued three cases before the Texas Supreme Court, and Bledsoe argued a landmark oil and gas case before that court.

In Midland, they say they have found a respect for the law.

“In a small town, you’re more likely to have misconceptions about the law, but people know us, our wives are active in the community. We’ve made a good first impression,” said Tighe, who has served on the city council and school board.

Dawson pointed out that they have all been part of the community for 50 years or more. “That familiarity and reputation benefits us.”

Community involvement “is part of our charge to one another, to be active in the community and organizations like United Way, Casa de Amigos, the scouts,” said Bledsoe.

That opportunity to serve the business community and help good things happen was part of what attracted Bledsoe to the law. “In my case, the oil and gas sector of the economy, to help implement laws and seek change, essentially serving the people. The law is people-oriented. If we help pursue something right and honorable, that’s a lot of fun.”

Dawson grew up around lawyers and judges. “I saw law as it was practiced in the preceding generation,” he said. “Law properly practiced is to serve the client. Law is the fabric of civilization. We are a country of laws and all of us are directly or indirectly affected by law.”

For Tighe, the realization that his first choice of career was a poor fit paved the way to a law career.

He was teaching at Rice University. “Halfway through, I realized I was not cut out for teaching. Some friends were studying law, and I was attracted by law school. Whether I practiced or not, the discipline of law school is valuable.”

The rule of law doesn’t always operate perfectly, but the goal is to keep going in the right direction, Tighe said. “What I found most rewarding is that the law allows society to operate in a cohesive, efficient and fair manner, if applied properly.”

Midland is unique in that while the city’s law firms may compete for clients. “We respect each other and treat each other in an ethical way,” Tighe said.

After exceeding expectations for the law firm formed 40 years ago, the partners say they’re not sure how much more growth will be seen.

“I suppose its possible we could grow some more, especially if the area continues to boom. We want to continue serving the needs of our clients,” said Bledsoe.